Multi-position Accessory Mount

ABSTRACT

A rotating optical mount for firearms that allows the user to install two completely different optical devices on the same firearm and easily switch between the two. As each optical device is rotated in the top center position of the apparatus it will latch into a predetermined and repeatable position allowing the user to maintain proper projectile placement with previously made adjustments to the optical device. Operators can quickly and easily switch between an optical device for distance engagement to an optical device for close quarters engagement and visa-versa by rotating the apparatus in the appropriate direction to place the desired optical device in optimum position while with the same action, moving the previously desired optical device away from the optimum position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the mounting of various accessories such as optical devices to a firearm.

Firearms allow the use of a wide variety of optical devices such as riflescopes, telescopic sight, aperture sights, red dot sights and holographic sights in order to accurately place the projectile at the intended location. In order to accomplish this, the optical device should be mounted on top of the firearm with the centerline matching that of the projectile travel path centerline. The optical device must be adjusted based on each independent user's positioning, line of sight as they aim through the optical as well as varying environmental conditions.

Different situations require the use of different types and configurations of optical devices. Optical devices that are intended to allow the user to accurately engage targets at a distance do not allow for the ability to accurately engage targets at close range. In order to accomplish this, many users install a second optical device at a 45° offsets to the firearm centerline or stack one optical configuration on top of another one. This adversely affects the accuracy and ease of use of the firearm.

There is a need for an optical device mount that can be adapted to any firearm that allows the user to install two independent optical devices on the firearm simultaneously. The mount must allow for quick transition between the two and ensure the desired optical device is positioned in the proper centerline as to maintain the user's accuracy and sight picture. It must have versatility of design to enable users to install a variety of different optical devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The utility concept and designs enclosed are for an optical device mount that meets and exceeds the current need. The mount must allow for quick transition between two independent optical devices while maintaining the operator's accuracy settings “zero”. Standard aperture sights can also be added in conjunction or incorporated into the optical mount to allow for three independent sight devices on the same firearm.

Rotating the mounting cylinder will bring the desired optical device to centerline firing position while moving the previous optical device off to the side. The mounting cylinder will latch into a repeatable position; therefore maintaining accuracy and centerline of either optical devices rotated into the centerline position. Firearms can be simultaneously set-up for close quarters use as well as distance shooting. The mounting cylinder can be rotated into a position between the optical devices allowing for a clean line of sight thorough hard (iron) sights.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

Eight Figures are included in this application in order to demonstrate the utility of the invention. The embodiment selected for view figures one through six is one of several possibilities. Figure seven and eight show an additional possible embodiment incorporating several different design possibilities.

FIG. 1 on drawing 1/6 shows a perspective view of the assembled embodiment to aid in visualization.

FIG. 2 on drawing 2/6 shows a perspective view of the embodiment exploded to aid in identifying components and understanding the assembly.

FIG. 3 on drawing 3/6 shows a two dimensional side view of the embodiment with a partial cross section for component reference.

FIG. 4 on drawing 4/6 shows a two dimensional exploded view of the embodiment to further aid in component identification and assembly understanding.

FIG. 5 on drawing 5/6 shows the assembled embodiment in the primary position to aid in understanding the purpose and function of the apparatus.

FIG. 6 on drawing 5/6 shows the assembled embodiment in the alternate position to aid in understanding the purpose and function of the apparatus.

FIG. 7 on drawing 6/6 shows a two dimensional exploded view of an alternate embodiment to further aid in component identification and assembly understanding.

FIG. 8 on drawing 6/6 shows a two dimensional side view of the alternate embodiment with a partial cross section for component reference.

Components identified in figures one through six reference the components of the specific embodiment used as an example although not the only possible embodiment and are as follows:

-   -   1 Device Mounting Bracket     -   2 Shaft     -   3 Positive positioning device (spring plunger)     -   4 Thrust Bearing     -   5 Mounting Cylinder     -   6 Optical Rail     -   7 Rail Mounting Screw     -   8 Shaft Retaining Screw

Components identified in figures seven and eight reference the components of the specific embodiment used as an example although not the only possible embodiment and are as follows:

-   -   1 Exit Shaft Housing     -   2 Positioning Nut     -   3 Positioning Nut Screw     -   4 Exit Bearing     -   5 Mounting Cylinder     -   6 Optical Rail     -   7 Rail Mounting Screw     -   8 Exit Shaft     -   9 Exit Shaft Coupling Stud     -   10 Entry Bearing     -   11 Spring Adjusting Screw     -   12 Entry Shaft     -   13 Entry Shaft Coupler     -   14 Compression Spring     -   15 Entry Shaft Locking Screw

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is illustrative in nature and not intended to limit the invention or application.

The disclosed embodiment is one of several and merely exemplifies the invention and does not limit the invention or application.

Device Mounting Bracket

-   -   The device mounting bracket 1 is that component of the apparatus         that allows the user to attach the apparatus to the firearm and         support the main body of the apparatus.         -   This portion of the apparatus may be fabricated to adapt to             any firearm by modifying the attachment configuration such             as to attach to a picatinny rail, dovetail rail or mounting             holes. Standard pre-fabricated mounts may also be used such             as scope rings.         -   This portion of the apparatus may be molded or machined.         -   This portion of the apparatus may be constructed out of any             rigid material such as metal, composites or plastics.         -   This portion of the apparatus may be constructed to             different shapes and sizes as necessary for the specific             embodiment.

Shaft

-   -   The shaft 2 is that component of the apparatus that supports the         main body of the apparatus through the mounting bracket(s) 1 and         allows for rotation of the mounting cylinder 5 around a fixed         axis parallel to the travel path of the projectile.         -   This portion of the apparatus can be used with or without             bearings.         -   This portion of the apparatus can be a single shaft or             multiple shafts supporting the mounting cylinder 5 from each             end such as is demonstrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.         -   This portion of the apparatus may be constructed out of any             rigid material such as metal, composites or plastics.         -   This portion of the apparatus may be constructed to             different lengths and diameters as necessary for the             specific embodiment.         -   This portion of the apparatus may be constructed solid,             hollow or with solid and hollow portions.         -   This portion of the apparatus may be fixed if the mounting             cylinder is free to rotate, free to rotate if the mounting             cylinder is fixed to this portion of the apparatus or a             combination of the two as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.         -   Positive positioning may be accomplished by the addition of             depressions or holes in this portion of the apparatus to             accept the positive positioning device.

Positive Positioning Device

-   -   The positive positioning device 3 is that component of the         apparatus that holds the mounting cylinder 5 into the         predetermine position.         -   This portion of the apparatus may be mounted inside the             shaft 2 as in the embodiment presented in the view drawings,             or in any location where it can engage the rotating portion             of the apparatus such as a mounting cylinder 5, a mounting             bracket 1, a separately fabricated component or a             combination such as is demonstrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.         -   This portion of the apparatus may be purchased as a single             component or assembled from other components such as ball             bearings and springs.         -   This portion of the apparatus may be a single device or             multiple devices used in conjunction such as is demonstrated             in FIGS. 7 and 8.         -   This portion of the apparatus may be located as to allow             engagement to a mounting cylinder 5 as in the embodiment             presented in the view drawings, engagement to a fixed shaft             2 as this portion of the apparatus rotated around the shaft             axis, or engagement into a rotating shaft.

Mounting Cylinder

-   -   This portion of the apparatus is that wherein the optical         devices are mounted and whereby they are rotated around the body         of the apparatus.         -   Modifications to this portion of the apparatus such as             mounting hole size and location may be performed to attach             secondary optical rails 6 as in the embodiment presented in             the view drawings, directly mount the desired optical device             or mount other secondary attachments.         -   This portion of the apparatus may be molded or machined.         -   This portion of the apparatus may be constructed out of any             rigid material such as metal, composites or plastics.         -   This portion of the apparatus may be constructed to             different lengths and diameters as necessary for the             specific embodiment.         -   Positive positioning may be accomplished by the addition of             depressions or holes in this portion of the apparatus to             accept the positive positioning device 3 as in the             embodiment presented in the view drawings,

OPERATION OF THE INCLUDED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment Example 1

The following operational description is to aid the reader in understanding the function and operation of the invention demonstrated in Figures one through six. It does not limit the invented device to a particular embodiment or specific method of operation.

The user mounts the apparatus to the firearm by attaching the mounting brackets 1 to the top portion of the firearm.

The user mounts the first optical device to the top optical rail 6 attached to the mounting cylinder 5 by use of the rail mounting screws 7.

The user mounts the second optical device to the optical rail 6 attached on the side of the mounting cylinder 5 ninety degrees circumferentially from the first optical device.

The user makes the necessary adjustments to the first optical device to “sight in” the accessory.

The user rotates the mounting cylinder 5 circumferentially in the direction of travel that will place the second optical device on top of the apparatus.

-   -   As rotational torque is applied to the mounting cylinder 5, the         detent portion of the spring plunger 3 is depressed, allowing         free rotation of the mounting cylinder 5.     -   As the mounting cylinder 5 begins to rotate circumferentially,         the thrust bearings 4 in the mounting cylinder 5 begin to rotate         around the axis of the shaft 2 that is held in place by the         shaft retaining screws 8.     -   Once the mounting cylinder 5 is rotated ninety degrees, the         spring plunger 3 will extend into the locating hole in the         mounting cylinder 5 thereby latching the mounting cylinder 5         into position.     -   The user makes the necessary adjustments to the second optical         device to “sight in” the accessory.     -   The user switches between the two optical devices by rotating         the mounting cylinder 5 in the appropriate direction to place         the desired optical device on top of the apparatus.     -   As the apparatus latches into a repeatable position,         re-adjustment of the two optical devices is unnecessary.

The following operational description is to aid the reader in understanding the function and operation of the invention demonstrated in Figures seven and eight. It does not limit the invented device to a particular embodiment or specific method of operation.

Embodiment Example 2

The following operational description is to aid the reader in understanding the function and operation of the invention demonstrated in Figures seven and eight. It does not limit the invented device to a particular embodiment or specific method of operation.

The user mounts the apparatus to the firearm by attaching the mounting brackets (not shown) to the top portion of the firearm.

The user mounts the first optical device to the top optical rail 6 attached to the mounting cylinder 5 by use of the rail mounting screws 7.

The user mounts the second optical device to the optical rail 6 attached on the side of the mounting cylinder 5 ninety degrees circumferentially from the first optical device.

The user makes the necessary adjustments to the first optical device to “sight in” the accessory.

The user pulls the main body of the device towards the user by which the following actions occur:

-   -   The main body including the mounting cylinder 5 and all         components connected moved to the rear towards the user.     -   The exit shaft 8 connected to the mounting cylinder moves         horizontally in the same plane retracting with the main body.     -   As the main body moves, the stationary entry shaft 12 extends         further inside the mounting cylinder 5.     -   The spring adjusting screw 11 connected to the entry shaft 12         moves further inside the mounting cylinder 5 further compressing         the spring 14.     -   The moving of the main body towards the user disengages the         mounting cylinder 5 locating holes from the positioning nuts 2         thereby disengaging the positive positioning.

The user rotates the main body of the device in the appropriate direction to move the second optical device to the top of the device.

Once the second optical device is in the approximate top center position, the user releases reward pressure on the device allowing the spring 14 to move the main body forward thereby re-engaging the mounting cylinder 5 onto the positioning nuts 2 by insertion into the corresponding indentations in the mounting cylinder 5.

The user makes the necessary adjustments to the second optical device to “sight in” the accessory.

At this time, the user may interchange between the two optical devices by repeating the actions stated above to disengage, rotate and re-engage the positive positioning locking function.

Application

-   -   Military and Law Enforcement Firearms     -   Competition Shooting Firearms     -   Hunting Firearms and bows     -   Recreational Shooting Firearms     -   Self Defense Firearms     -   All applications that require switching between two devices         while maintaining repeatable elevation and centerlines. 

1-6. (canceled)
 7. For a firearm including an elongated barrel having a longitudinal barrel axis, an apparatus mountable to a firearm for securing a first optic accessory and a second optic accessory to the firearm, the apparatus comprising: a mounting bracket detachably connected to the firearm to extend from the firearm perpendicular to the barrel axis; and a rotating member fitted to the mounting bracket for rotational movement about a rotational axis spaced above and parallel to the barrel axis between a first position and a second position, the rotating member adapted to receive the first optic accessory affixed thereto at a first location on the rotating member and to receive the second optic accessory affixed thereto, such that the first optic accessory lies within a plane containing the barrel axis and the rotational axis of the rotating member when the rotating member is in the first position and the second optic accessory lies within the plane containing the barrel axis and the rotational axis of the rotating member when the rotating member is in the second position.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 and an elongated shaft extending from the mounting bracket spaced from and parallel to the barrel axis, the rotating member is an elongated tubular part fitted about the shaft.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the shaft has a lateral bore therein and a spring loaded plunger seated within the bore and extensible therefrom for restrictively engaging the rotating member when the rotating member is in one of the first position and the second position.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7 and means for selectively locking the rotating member in one of the first position and second position.
 11. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the rotating member includes a first rail component affixed to the rotating member at the first location and a second rail component affixed to the rotating member at the second location. 